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Restaurant Month 2021 in the heart of the city is more world-class than ever before, bolstered by top talent returning home to Auckland’s already impressive culinary line-up. Viv Beck, Heart of the City Chief Executive, says, “The chefs and restaurant...

Two weeks after Albert Street area businesses asked decision makers to meet and let them know the outcome of requests for financial support, there is still no action.  Meanwhile, the Albert/Victoria Street intersection has closed and businesses are...

Time is ticking for businesses impacted by City Rail Link construction. One business on Victoria Street has closed this week, and other business owners are distressed and reporting a significant drop in trade. With no definitive answer on when the...

We'd like to welcome a range of new eateries, retailers and a new hotel that  have opened their doors in the past couple of months. Some big tech names have moved into shiny new city centre locations of late too. There are more openings coming up...

The City Rail Link's effect as a catalyst for private development is being realised with a number of projects in the news. These include developments like Mansons TCLM's new Fifty Albert $650m office tower and Auckland Real...

The evolution of Wynyard Quarter into a mixed-use precinct continues, with the development of more offices, homes and public spaces currently underway. Take a look at what's under construction here. Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct With Mason Bros,...

A Special Offers feature on heartofthecity.co.nz means we can now display your offers and promotions on a dedicated offers page as well as on your business listing page. We'll regularly promote offers from retailers, restaurants, arts...

10 August 2021 Over the past couple of months, we’ve heard from over 400 city centre businesses about their thoughts and concerns about safety, through a mix of survey responses and face to face conversations. Below, we’ve detailed some of the main...

The exciting transformation in the area around the bottom of Queen Street and along Quay Street is complete. We now have better links between the Waitematā harbour and the city centre and some new vibrant and attractive pedestrian-...

The NZ COVID Tracer app helps health officials to stop the spread of COVID-19 by tracing the contacts of anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19. All businesses are now required to maintain contract tracing records in line with the Covid-19 Response...

Crime in our city is getting worse and we want action.  Along with Newmarket, Parnell, Karangahape Road, Uptown and Ponsonby Business Associations, we have simultaneously released an open letter to the Prime Minister. This is an unprecedented...

Heart of the City is supporting fashion retailers in the city centre and giving fashionistas something to look forward to once the alert levels shift. Fashion Weekend in the heart of the city is unable to go ahead this weekend due to current lockdown...

Like the rest of New Zealand, Sonja Painter could never have foreseen the impact of Covid and the dramatic drop in tourists seeking the adrenaline-fuelled attractions of her business, Thrillzone. With three locations in Auckland’s city centre, Takapuna...

Latest city centre spending figures show that city-centre businesses have lost over $45M over the last two weeks under Level 4, highlighting the need for additional financial relief says Viv Beck, Chief Executive of Heart of the City, the Auckland city...

With another two weeks at Level 4 looming, ongoing support for businesses to cover rent and opex costs is needed. “Auckland has been hit hard by COVID-19 and, with more than half a billion dollars of consumer spending lost in the city centre alone...

Outlined below is an update on the project, a short survey, and some high-level principles we are seeking your feedback on. Take the survey here. Project status: An Auckland Light Rail Establishment Unit has been set up by the Government to engage with...

A long-overdue decision on providing targeted financial relief for businesses impacted by the City Rail Link has been announced today but the devil is in the detail. Heart of the City Chief Executive Viv Beck says that “While this is long...

Following last week’s announcement on the CRL Targeted Hardship Fund, CRLL has set up the CRL Targeted Hardship Fund: Registration of Interest. Businesses can request information on the scheme and learn how to apply once the fund is available. For more...

Latest spending figures released today by Heart of the City confirm a loss of nearly $750 million of consumer spending since the first border closure in February 2020, which equates to an average of $560,000 per business. This includes around $294M in...

Treasury asked to consider ‘COVID Loans’ as businesses increasingly desperate for more support Given the severe impact of Auckland’s ongoing lockdown, Heart of the City wants to see sustainable and targeted financial support for business. It has asked...

Heart of the City has today released the loss of consumer spending in the Level 4 lockdown in the centre of Auckland city – $110 million*. With an average of about $85,000 per customer-facing business, action is needed now to avert a greater fallout in...

In what might seem an unexpected pairing, Viv Beck and Ariana Paul are joining forces to shine a light on problems with the way Wellington is engaging with Auckland and seek urgent action to avert major fallout across the city.  “Lack of...

A Message from the Ministry of Health As part of the Ministry of Health’s targeted approach to COVID-19 testing in Auckland, businesses permitted to operate in higher alert levels are being requested to take part in the testing of their workforce...

Heart of the City was expecting to see a much stronger roadmap to lead Auckland’s recovery from 29 weeks of restrictions since the start of 2020.  The new rules announced today are confusing and will be a slow, painful path for many and more...

Heart of the City is calling for mandatory digital passports to provide certainty for business and ensure the city centre’s position is secured. The city centre has the greatest concentration of businesses in New Zealand and consumer-facing businesses...

Auckland business groups, representing tens of thousands of businesses, want Government to act on their calls to confirm financial support for Auckland during level 2 for qualifying businesses:          ...

Heart of the City is calling on the Government to deliver a clear roadmap with timeframes that make sense and enable businesses to get moving. They also want to see an easy to repay loan initiative that has been presented to Treasury considered. “...

With growing case numbers and a rush to get vaccination numbers up, Heart of the City wants to see businesses involved in setting a clear pathway and timeframes to give certainty and hope for impacted businesses. Heart of the City is proposing a way...

Auckland Council has released a video and information on the Midtown programme. It takes a coordinated approach to the redevelopment of the midtown of the city centre over the next five years, with many projects planned to be completed to...

The Ministry of Health provides regular updates as they roll out free COVID-19 vaccinations across New Zealand on their official website and social media platforms. You can keep up to date with them here. Below is a round-up of the latest...

Be in to win $9,000 in prizes for your Christmas windows Following on from the fabulously festive displays of last year and positive feedback from participating retailers, we’re inviting businesses to take part in our second Christmas window ...

INTRODUCTION Heart of the City (HOTC) is the business association for Auckland’s city centre and we represent the interests of businesses and property owners.  We are committed to the growth and success of the city centre as a vibrant, accessible,...

  Auckland Council and Auckland Transport are finalising plans to ensure the station’s entrances on Victoria Street and Wellesley Street are welcoming and accessible for the thousands of passengers that will use them every day. This is...

Auckland’s city centre is on track to hit $1 Billion loss in consumer spending* before it reaches the new red trading level.  Action to avert an even more devastating loss of livelihoods and support the wellbeing of thousands of hardworking people...

Heart of the City businesses are reaching the $1billion mark in lost revenue since the start of the pandemic last year. We have come together with other Auckland business associations to request action to allow businesses to open for safe trading again...

Artweek 2021 in the Heart of the City is back, temporarily transforming streets, laneways and public spaces with installations and artworks that create vibrancy and a sense of community. From installations in our favourite laneways to guided walks...